The (Strong) Medicine Man

I just thought of another "hero". And this one, folks, IS a politician; former New York City mayor, Ed Koch. Koch, at least in my estimation, was EXACTLY what New York City needed in 1977. At a time when the city had such things as "snow days", when it paid its huge municipal workforce to stay home when it snowed and paid those that did come in time and a half, at a time when other politicians such as Mario Cuomo, Bella Abzug, and incumbent Mayor Abe Beam gave mealy-mouthed responses to the 1977 power outage rioting, Mr. Koch came along and majorly kicked some butt. Now, did this fellow eventually wear out his welcome/deserve to be "retired"? Sure, probably (you could say that about most U.S. politicians, no?). But for at least a fairly large chunk of his tenure, Ed Koch was a pretty damn good mayor, I think.

Comments

  1. Les CarpenterWed Jul 27, 12:21:00 PM EDT

    Interesting perspective. In retrospect I find myself agreeing.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

RN USA no longer accepts comments. The information presented is for reflection, contemplation, and for those seeking greater understanding and wisdom. It is for seekers and those with an open mind and heart.

Namaste


Top Posts

Mind, Memory & The Multiverse: What is Reality?...

Image
   When fascism came to America it  came clutching a bible and waving the flag.  On January 20, 2025. When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog  chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is k  na  nown t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna
Read more

Is It Time For Americans Supporting Hillary's Candidacy To Rethink Their Position?...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Yesterday the FBI, following a yearlong investigation of HRC's e-mails and her use of private servers, decided not to refer criminal charges to the DOJ, thus playing into the hands of the Trump campaign's claim that the system is rigged. Here, in summary, is what FBI Director Comey acknowledged. Edited for clarity. She did not, as she claimed, turn over all her work-related messages for release. Her private email server did carry classified emails, also contrary to her past statements. Clinton used many devices to send and receive email despite her statements that she set up her email system so that she only needed to carry one. The facts, uncovered by the FBI are as follows. Again edited for clarity The FBI identified at least 113 emails that passed through Clinton's server and contained materials that were classified at the time they were sent, including some that were Top Secret. Clinton has separately clung ...
Read more

The Truth About Texas Governor Rick Perry...

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty -vs- Tyranny Rick Perry , the new "hot" candidate of the Tea Party , has intrigued me since he hit the national scene and declared his candidacy for the republican nomination for President. Mr.Polish has been selling himself as the conservative alternative to President Obama and business as usual in DC. But is Mr. Polish really a conservative with proven bona fides? Me thinks not. In fact as my research progressed it became clear Mr. Polish is much more the big government profligate spender and corporate kinda guy {read corporate whore} than I originally suspected. Some of Mr. Polish's most severe critics actually come from the fiscally conservative right. A right I willingly take credit for being a part of. What I find most befuddling is how anyone with a modicum of understanding of what true conservatism is can be fooled by Mr. Polish. Given my skepticism of Mr. Polis...
Read more

An Open Letter to My Father and Mentor

The following is a repost of an open letter I wrote five months ago explaining my rationale for defining myself as a " true independent conservative ."  Out of this letter came my  Conservative Manifesto . While I have dropped the adjective true, as its use is subjective, the essence of my self described " independent conservatism" remains intact and defines my politics if you will, and my basic philosophy of governance. On the heals of recent accusations made with respect to my principals and beliefs by one who objects to my individualism I felt it appropriate to run this again. I am sure the person who referred to me as a "Brown Shirt", and a "Right Wing Reactionary" among other false identifiers still won't get it. And the purpose is not to try and change the mind of this individual. It is to hopefully reinforce the principals that I believe made this nation the greatest on earth. And now, "An Open Letter To My Fath...
Read more

Keith Olbermann - Race Baiter Extradinaire

As a proud  independent conservative, I am always, and forever amazed, at the virulent race baiting, and throw back the a time long gone that Keith Olbermann seems to be perpetually running from. Or could it be Olbermann is just the choir boy for the irrational liberal left in America? I don't know which it is nor do I care. Nor should anyone choosing to think independently and rationally. Here it is folk, down and right from one independent conservative . Regardless of ones skin color or ethnic heritage, irrespective of ones religious beliefs; in so long as they are truly peaceful and personal, and so long as the individual respects the rights of all other individuals equally we can get past the agenda of Keith Olbermann and his liberal conductors of the liberal orchestra. Sure, this independent conservative will no doubt be called to task by some. No doubt by the very likes of Keith Olbermann and ...
Read more

Short Exchange & Meditation: Discover the Power of Emptiness...

Image
When fascism came to America it  came clutching a bible and waving the flag.  On January 20, 2025.   When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog  chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is k  na  nown t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna
Read more

If There is No Self, Who is Living This Life?...

Image
   When fascism came to America it  came clutching a bible and waving the flag.  On January 20, 2025. When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog  chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is k  na  nown t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna
Read more

Guided Meditation with Mooji

Image
   When fascism came to America it  came clutching a bible and waving the flag.  On January 20, 2025. When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog  chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is k  na  nown t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna
Read more

In the Beginning

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA In the beginning the original concept for this blog, Rational Nation USA, was quite different than what it eventually became. Since its inception on June 29th of 2009  this site has been a strong advocate  for limited  responsib le government, true liberty, and fiscally sound economic policy . The site's  Conservative Manifesto clearly spells out the principles for which it stands. It continues to stand by these principles, unequivocally. So you may ask, what then was the original concept for Rational Nation USA ? In a nutshell, it was envisioned to be a forum that would present political views from the right, the center, and the left. In other words a political cross section of American viewpoints. The challenge of course was to line up a moderate and a liberal with the interest and time to take a single issue and present their views in a respectful and persuasive ma...
Read more

The Face of Fundamental Christianity in America?... You Be the Judge

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The face of Fundamental Christian Bigotry! The face of a strong diverse America! Mrs. Rational and I took our dynamo back home to Mom and Dad yesterday as he will be going with them to Myrtle Beach Friday for two weeks. Yes, he is one lucky, and very appreciative dynamo. His family is hard working and as a result he is able to enjoy some of the fruits of their labor. With continued perseverance, and maybe a bit of luck this dynamo will be as educated and forward thinking as his supportive family. Coming home for a day before heading south to the casinos I could not resit the temptation to visit the ever present Memeorandum and catch up just a bit on current events. During my diligent review of the "news" on Memeorandum I could not help but notice the still present bigotry and racism that apparently continues to exists in the dark pockets of Christian fundamentalism. Perhaps it is but a few who suppor...
Read more